Information recording apparatus and information recording method

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides an information recording method and an information recording apparatus, which are capable of recording reproduction controlling information in information recording medium such as DVD. An operation portion designates a division timing in the audio information in case of dividing continuous audio information to record it in the DVD. A pickup records the audio information before the designated division timing and the audio information after the designated division timing in the DVD. A system controller repeats generating object recording sequence information in associated with the audio information before and after the division timing, respectively, to record them in the DVD every time when the division timing is designated.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technical field of an informationrecording method and an information recording apparatus. Morespecifically, the invention relates to a technical field of aninformation recording method and an information recording apparatus,which record both of recording information to be recorded andreproduction controlling information for controlling a reproductionmanner upon reproducing the foregoing recording information afterrecording in one information recording medium.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, research and development regarding a DVD, which is an opticaldisk having severalfold recording capacity than that of a conventionalCD (Compact Disk), has been done extensively.

A reproduction-only DVD in which a movie or the like is recorded ispopular. However, in addition to this, a standard of a DVD in whichvideo information such as moving image information and voice informationor the like are capable of being recorded (hereinafter, referred to asvideo DVD), and a standard of a DVD in which audio information includingmusic information and voice information or the like are capable of beingrecorded (hereinafter, referred to as audio DVD), are being plotted outas a standard of a DVD capable of recording.

In a video DVD standard of which plotting out has been nearly completed,video information which is recorded from start of recording to endthereof by a user (i.e., video information in a range capable of beingidentified by the user as one group) is recorded as one group in a DVD.In this case, upon recording the video information, reproductioncontrolling information for controlling a reproduction manner of thevideo information, which includes a reproduction order, a reproductiontime or the like, is also generated simultaneously and it isstandardized that the generated reproduction controlling information isrecorded in the DVD together with the video information. Thereproduction controlling information is also referred to as navigationinformation in the video DVD standard.

On the other hand, in the case that a group of the video informationwhich is recorded once (hereinafter, referred to the group of the videoinformation as source video information) is video information capable ofbeing obtained by receiving, for example, television broadcast or thelike, a portion of the video information, specifically, for example, acommercial message part, may be required to be deleted after completionof recording the source video information.

In such a case, a video DVD recorder on sale which employs the standardof the video DVD is configured in such a manner that this video DVDrecorder deletes a portion of the source video information in accordancewith an instruction from the user, divides source video information andedits the reproduction controlling information (hereinafter, referred tothe reproduction controlling information as source video reproductioncontrolling information) in response to the source video information soas to reproduce the divided source video information as one group,namely, to reproduce it as what is called one program.

On the other hand, an audio DVD recorder employing the audio DVDstandard, whose standardization is in progress, is also expected to besold. However, in the case that one group of the audio information,which is recorded after recording (hereinafter, referred to the group ofthe audio information as source audio information), is divided bydeleting a portion thereof in this audio DVD recorder or the like, ifthe dividing concept with respect to the above source video informationis intended to be employed as it is, it can be considered to edit thereproduction controlling information in response to the source audioinformation (hereinafter, referred to the reproduction controllinginformation as source audio reproduction controlling information) so asto reproduce all of the audio information after dividing as one group.

However, especially, for the audio information, there is a case thatapplying a concept for dividing the above described video information isinappropriate.

In other words, for example, in the case that the source audioinformation is obtained by copying a plurality of music pieces recordedin one piece of CD as they are, one group of the plural songs isrecorded as the source audio information. Further, the correspondingsource audio reproduction controlling information is also recorded so asto control reproduction of the plural songs as one group.

In this case, in order to edit new reproduction controlling informationso as to extract and reproduce only a part of the plural songs, it isnecessary to designate a recording position of a song to be reproducedfrom a head of the source audio information. Simultaneously, also in thecase of searching the recording position, at first, it is necessary tostart reproduction from a head of the source audio information. As aresult, this involves a problem such that an unnecessary time isrequired to search the song and convenience is extremely lowered uponediting new reproduction controlling information.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made taking the foregoing problem intoconsideration, an object of the invention is to provide an informationrecording method and an information recording apparatus, which arecapable of recording reproduction controlling information or the like insuch a manner that it is possible to improve convenience uponcontrolling a reproduction manner of recording information.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording apparatus for recording information to be recordedin an information recording medium and generating reproductioncontrolling information for controlling a reproduction manner uponreproducing the recording information after recording at the time ofrecording of the recording information to record it in the informationrecording medium as well as the recording information in accordance withthe present invention. The information recording apparatus is providedwith: a designating device for designating division timing in therecording information in case of dividing continuous recordinginformation to record it in the information recording medium; arecording device for recording former part recording information whichis the recording information before the designated division timing, andlatter part recording information which is the recording informationafter the designated division timing, in the information recordingmedium; and a generating and recording device for repeating generatingformer reproduction controlling information which is the reproductioncontrolling information in associated with the former part recordinginformation, and latter reproduction controlling information which isthe reproduction controlling information in associated with the latterpart recording information to record them in the information recordingmedium every time when the division timing is designated.

According to the information recording apparatus of the presentinvention, the designating device designates division timing in therecording information in case of dividing the continuous recordinginformation to record it in the information recording medium. Then, therecording device records the former part recording information which isthe recording information before the designated division timing in theinformation recording medium. Further, the recording device records thelatter part recording information which is the recording informationafter the designated division timing in the information recordingmedium. Then, the generating and recording device repeats generating theformer reproduction controlling information which is the reproductioncontrolling information in associated with the former part recordinginformation, and the latter reproduction controlling information whichis the reproduction controlling information in associated with thelatter part recording information to record them in the informationrecording medium every time when the division timing is designated.

Therefore, it is possible to divide original recording information torecord in the information recording medium in such a manner that theuser desires. Simultaneously, it is possible to record the formerreproduction controlling information and the latter reproductioncontrolling information for dividing and reproducing the recordinginformation in such a manner that the user desires. Further, it becomespossible to improve convenience upon controlling the reproduction mannerby the use of the reproduction controlling information.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording apparatus for newly generating divisionreproduction controlling information which is reproduction controllinginformation for dividing and reproducing the recording information froman information recording medium, in which continuous recordinginformation and the reproduction controlling information for controllingthe reproduction manner of the recording information are recorded, torecord it in the information recording medium in accordance with thepresent invention. The information recording apparatus is provided with:a designating device for designating a division timing in the recordinginformation; and a generating and recording device for repeating newlygenerating former reproduction controlling information which is thereproduction controlling information, in associated with former partrecording information which is the recording information before thedesignated division timing, and latter reproduction controllinginformation which is the reproduction controlling information inassociated with latter part recording information which is the recordinginformation after the designated division timing, to record them as thedivision reproduction controlling information in the informationrecording medium every time when the division timing is designated.

According to the information recording apparatus of the presentinvention, the designating device designates the division timing in therecording information. Then, the generating and recording device repeatsnewly generating the former reproduction controlling information whichis the reproduction controlling information, in associated with formerpart recording information which is the recording information before thedesignated division timing, and the latter reproduction controllinginformation which is the reproduction controlling information inassociated with latter part recording information which is the recordinginformation after the designated division timing, to record them as thedivision reproduction controlling information in the informationrecording medium every time when the division timing is designated.

Therefore, it is possible to record the division reproductioncontrolling information for dividing and reproducing the originalrecording information in such a manner that the user desires.Simultaneously, it becomes possible to improve convenience uponcontrolling the reproduction manner by the use of the reproductioncontrolling information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the designating device comprisesa reproduction designating device. The reproduction designating devicedesignates the division timing while reproducing the recordinginformation, which is recorded.

According to this aspect, it is possible to generate the formerreproduction controlling information and the latter reproductioncontrolling information while the user is confirming the contents of therecording information.

In another aspect of the present invention, the former reproductioncontrolling information includes order information to indicate areproduction order of the former part recording information and rangeinformation to indicate a range where the former part recordinginformation is recorded in the recording information. The reproductioncontrolling information also includes the latter reproductioncontrolling information includes order information to indicate areproduction order of the latter part recording information and rangeinformation to indicate a range where the latter part recordinginformation is recorded in the recording information.

According to this aspect, it is possible to certainly reproduce theformer part recording information and the latter part recordinginformation in such a reproduction manner that the user desires.

In another aspect of the present invention, the recording informationcomprises audio information including at least music information andvoice information.

According to this aspect, for example, one song of the audio informationis capable of being reproduced as any one of the former part recordinginformation and the latter part recording information.

In another aspect of the present invention, the information recordingmedium is a DVD capable of recording the information.

According to this aspect, large quantity of audio information is capableof being recorded and simultaneously this is capable of being reproducedin such a manner that the user desires.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording method of recording information to be recorded inan information recording medium and generating reproduction controllinginformation for controlling a reproduction manner upon reproducing therecording information after recording at the time of recording of therecording information to record it in the information recording mediumas well as the recording information in accordance with the presentinvention. The information recording method is provided with theprocesses of: designating a division timing in the recording informationin case of dividing continuous recording information to record it in theinformation recording medium; recording former part recordinginformation which is the recording information before the designateddivision timing, and latter part recording information which is therecording information after the designated division timing, in theinformation recording medium; and repeating generating formerreproduction controlling information which is the reproductioncontrolling information in associated with the former part recordinginformation, and latter reproduction controlling information which isthe reproduction controlling information in associated with the latterpart recording information to record them in the information recordingmedium every time when the division timing is designated.

According to the information recording method of the present invention,the division timing in the recording information is designated in caseof dividing continuous recording information to record it in theinformation recording medium. Then, the former part recordinginformation which is the recording information before the designateddivision timing is recorded in the information recording medium. Also,the latter part recording information which is the recording informationafter the designated division timing is recorded in the informationrecording medium. Then, the former reproduction controlling informationwhich is the reproduction controlling information in associated with theformer part recording information is generated. Also, the latterreproduction controlling information which is the reproductioncontrolling information in associated with the latter part recordinginformation to record them in the information recording medium isgenerated. These processes of generating the former reproductioncontrolling information and the latter reproduction controllinginformation are repeated every time when the division timing isdesignated.

Therefore, it is possible to divide the original recording informationto record in the information recording medium in such a manner that theuser desires. Simultaneously, it is possible to record the formerreproduction controlling information and the latter reproductioncontrolling information for dividing and reproducing the recordinginformation in such a manner that the user desires. Further, it becomespossible to improve convenience upon controlling the reproduction mannerby the use of the reproduction controlling information.

The above object of the present invention can be achieved by aninformation recording method of newly generating division reproductioncontrolling information which is reproduction controlling informationfor dividing and reproducing the recording information from aninformation recording medium, in which continuous recording informationand the reproduction controlling information for controlling thereproduction manner of the recording information are recorded, to recordit in said information recording medium in accordance with the presentinvention. The information recording method is provided with theprocesses of: designating a division timing in the recordinginformation; and repeating newly generating former reproductioncontrolling information which is the reproduction controllinginformation in associated with the former part recording informationwhich is the recording information before the designated divisiontiming, and the latter reproduction controlling information which is thereproduction controlling information in associated with the latter partrecording information which is the recording information after thedesignated division timing, to record them as the division reproductioncontrolling information in the information recording medium every timewhen the division timing is designated.

According to the information recording method of the present invention,the division timing in the recording information is designated. Then,the former reproduction controlling information which is thereproduction controlling information in associated with the former partrecording information which is the recording information before thedesignated division timing is newly generated. Also, the latterreproduction controlling information which is the reproductioncontrolling information in associated with the latter part recordinginformation which is the recording information after the designateddivision timing is newly generated. Further, the generated formerreproduction controlling information and the generated latter partrecording information are recorded as the division reproductioncontrolling information in the information recording medium. Moreover,these processes are repeated every time when the division timing isdesignated.

Therefore, it is possible to record the division reproductioncontrolling information for dividing and reproducing the originalrecording information in such a manner that the user desires.Simultaneously, it becomes possible to improve convenience uponcontrolling the reproduction manner by the use of the reproductioncontrolling information.

In one aspect of the present invention, the process of designating thedivision timing designates the division timing while reproducing therecording information, which is recorded.

According to this aspect, it is possible to generate the formerreproduction controlling information and the latter reproductioncontrolling information while the user is confirming the contents of therecording information.

In another aspect of the present invention, the former reproductioncontrolling information includes order information to indicate areproduction order of the former part recording information and rangeinformation to indicate a range where the former part recordinginformation is recorded in the recording information; and the latterreproduction controlling information includes order information toindicate a reproduction order of the latter part recording informationand range information to indicate a range where the latter partrecording information is recorded in the recording information.

According to this aspect, it is possible to certainly reproduce theformer part recording information and the latter part recordinginformation in such a reproduction manner that the user desires.

In another aspect of the present invention, he recording informationcomprises audio information including at least music information andvoice information.

According to this aspect, for example, one song of the audio informationis capable of being reproduced as any one of the former part recordinginformation and the latter part recording information.

In another aspect of the present invention, the information recordingmedium is a DVD capable of recording the information.

According to this aspect, large quantity of audio information is capableof being recorded and simultaneously this is capable of being reproducedin such a manner that the user desires.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram for showing a physical format in an audio DVDstandard;

FIG. 2 is a diagram for showing a logical format in an audio DVDstandard;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram for showing a schematic configuration of aninformation recording reproduction apparatus according to one embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for showing editorial processing according to thepresent embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a diagram (I) for explaining track dividing processingaccording to the present embodiment;

FIG. 6A is a diagram (II) for illustrating object recording sequenceinformation before track dividing processing according to the presentembodiment;

FIG. 6B is a diagram (II) for illustrating object recording sequenceinformation after track dividing processing according to the presentembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a diagram (III) for explaining track dividing processingaccording to the present embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart for showing reproduction processing according tothe present embodiment; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for showing editorial processing according to thepresent embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explainedbelow with reference to the drawings.

Additionally, the embodiments to be explained below is based upon theabove audio DVD standard for recording audio information in a DVD,simultaneously, in the present embodiment, the present invention isemployed for editing or generating reproduction controlling information(specifically, object recording sequence OSI to be described later) inthe standard.

(I) Audio DVD Standard

Before explaining embodiments according to the present invention, atfirst, the standard of the audio DVD to which the present embodiment isemployed will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2.

FIG. 1 is a diagram for showing a physical format in a DVD after theaudio information is recorded on the basis of the standard of the audioDVD (i.e., specifically, a physical format for showing a recordingpositions or the like in the DVD of the respective information). FIG. 2is a diagram for showing a logical recording format generated so as tocontrol the reproduction manner of the audio information recorded in theDVD (i.e., specifically, connection of the respective information uponreproduction and the recording positions on the DVD of respectiveinformation to be connected).

At first, the physical format in the audio DVD standard will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 1. In FIG. 1, DVD 1 is a DVD capable ofrecording such as a DVD-R (DVD-Recordable) which can be rewritten onlyonce or a DVD-RW (DVD-Recordable) which can be rewritten in pluraltimes.

As shown in FIG. 1, according to the standard of the audio DVD, alead-in area LI, a data area DA and a lead-out area LO are formed fromits inner radius in the DVD 1. In the lead-in-area LI, startinginformation or the like, which is controlling information to startreproduction of the information in the DVD is recorded. In the data areaDA, reproduction controlling information to control the audioinformation to be reproduced in practice and the reproduction manner ofthe audio information is recorded. The reproduction controllinginformation is specifically reproduction controlling information showingreproduction order of respective information constructing the audioinformation and reproduction time or recording positions on the DVD orthe like. In the lead-out-area LO, termination information or the like,which is controlling information to terminate reproduction of the audioinformation is recorded.

Next, a file system information area FSA, a navigation information areaNA and an object recording area ORA are formed in the above data areaDA.

Among the above areas, in the object recording area ORA a plurality ofaudio objects (AOB) which are the audio information itself to berecorded are recorded. In this case, a series of audio information,which is recorded during a period from recording is commenced once untilit is terminated, corresponds to an audio object just after therecording is terminated. In other words, audio objects are formed in theobject recording area ORA one by one every time a series of the audioinformation is completely recorded.

Alternatively, FIG. 1 shows a state that n pieces of audio objects arerecorded as a first object OBJ1 to OBJn with being numbered,respectively.

Additionally, in a logical format to be described later, a series ofaudio objects which are recorded in the DVD 1 during a period fromrecording is commenced once until it is terminated, is referred to as atrack.

Next, one audio object is comprised of a plurality of audio object unitsAOBU. In this case, the audio object unit AOBU is recorded by segmentingthe audio object for every period of time (for example, for everysecond) upon recording.

Alternatively, upon recording of the audio information, this audioobject unit AOBU becomes the minimum unit for edition or deletion of theaudio object.

On the other hand, in the navigation information area NA in the dataarea DA, the reproduction controlling information is recorded as thenavigation information to control the reproduction manner of the audioinformation recorded in the object recording area ORA to be describedlater.

Further, in the file system information area FSA, system information isrecorded to store the above navigation information by hierarchicalstructure in filling format in the navigation information area NA.

Next, as the navigation information in the navigation information areaNA, navigation total information NT, an object file information tableOFT, object recording sequence information OSI, setting reproductionsequence information UDI and other navigation information ET arerecorded.

Among the above information, the navigation total information NT iscomprised of navigation information managing information NM, which isalso called General Information (GI), and a reproduction list pointertable PLT. The navigation information managing information NM is totalinformation of the DVD 1 for managing a storing position (recordingposition) in respective sequences in the navigation information area NAor in the navigation information area NA of the information table, and arecording starting position of the object recording area ORA or thelike. The reproduction list pointer table PLT indicates a correspondingrelation between the navigation information stored in the settingreproduction sequence information UDI and a reproduction list (referredto as play list (PL) in the audio DVD standard) to be described later.

Next, the object file information table OFT is comprised of object fileattribution information OFZ and object file information OFI. The objectfile attribution information OFZ comprises variety of objects to berecorded in the object recording area ORA and the attributioninformation related to this variety or the like. The variety of objectsindicates that objects to be recorded in the object recording area ORAis an audio object in the case of the present embodiment. The objectfile information OFI comprises a reproduction start time and areproduction termination time of respective objects (audio object),which are the ones in which a head of the first object OBJ1 is definedas a start point, and the information related to them, or the like.

Further, in the object file information OFI, various information relatedto one or a plurality of the above audio objects recorded on the DVD 1is recorded. Specifically, the various information is comprised ofobject file total information OFG, L pieces of object search pointersOBS (L is the number of the audio objects, which are recorded in the DVD1) and L pieces of object information OBS (namely, as many as the objectsearch pointer OBS). The object file total information OFG includestotal number or the like on the DVD 1 of the audio object at the moment.The address information of heads of respective audio objects to besearched (reproduced) in the reproduction processing or the like to bedescribed later, are described in the object search pointers OBS. Theaddress information or the like indicating a recording position on theDVD 1 of heads of respective audio objects are described in thereproduction processing or the like in the object information OBS.

Furthermore, respective object information OBS are comprised of objectgeneral information OI and object unit information UI. The objectgeneral information OI comprises a reproduction start time and areproduction termination time of respective objects and the informationrelated to them. The object unit information UI comprises informationsuch as a reproduction time of the audio object unit AOBU constructingrespective audio objects, a recording start address or a size thereof orthe like.

Next, the object recording sequence OSI is referred to as an originalprogram chain (ORG-PGC) in the audio DVD standard. The object recordingsequence OSI is information indicating a recording sequence ofrespective audio objects. Namely, it indicates in what order, what audioinformation is recorded in the DVD 1 as the audio object in thebeginning of recording.

Additionally, the above described object file information table OFT andthe object recording sequence OSI are newly generated, updated andrecorded every time a new audio object is recorded in the DVD 1. Due tothese information, a user is capable of reproducing them by the orderand the reproduction time as same as those in the case that respectiveaudio objects are recorded.

On the other hand, the setting reproduction sequence information UDI isreferred to as a user defined program chain (UD-PGC) in the audio DVDstandard. The user generates one or plural setting reproduction sequenceinformation UDI in order to reproduce logically all or a part of therecorded audio objects in a mutual, free and original combination. Thesetting reproduction sequence information UDI are recorded with beingnumbered every time the user newly sets them. In this case, the userdefined program chain is associated with the reproduction list describedabove.

Further, other navigation information ET is comprised of the informationnecessary for controlling reproduction in addition to the abovedescribed respective navigation information.

Next, pointer information is recorded as a reproduction list pointertable PLT. The pointer information shows a corresponding relationbetween the number of one or a plurality of the above settingreproduction sequence information UDI, which are recorded on the DVD 1at the moment, and the number of the reproduction list set by the user.Specifically, the reproduction list pointer table PLT is comprised ofplay list total information PLG and a first to m-th reproduction listpointers PLT 1 to PLT m. The play list total information PLG includes afinal address or the like in a region on the DVD 1 where the totalnumber at the moment of the pointer information and the reproductionlist pointer table PLT are recorded. The reproduction list pointers PLT1 to PLT m indicate the numbers of the setting reproduction sequenceinformation UDI, which are associated with the first to the m-threproduction lists set by the user in the above setting reproductionsequence information UDI, respectively.

Next, a logical format for logically controlling a reproduction mannerupon reproducing the audio information, which is recorded in the DVD 1in accordance with the above described physical format, will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 2. The reproduction manner includes thereproduction order or a range of the audio information to be reproducedin the audio information.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for showing the logical format in a hierarchicalstructure. However, the audio information on the DVD 1 is recorded in amanner as shown in FIG. 1 and the logical format is obtained as a resultthat a range and a reproduction order of the audio information to bereproduced are described by using the above respective navigationinformation in a hierarchical structure, as described above.

At first, a logical format of the above object recording sequenceinformation OSI will be described.

As described above, the object recording sequence information OSI isinformation indicating a recording sequence of respective audio objects.However, in the case of reproducing the audio objects on the basis ofthe object recording sequence information OSI, the user may be allowedonly to reproduce the audio objects in an order of recording, so thatthere is only one reproduction manner.

In other words, a first track TR1 is recorded prior to a second trackTR2 in FIG. 2. However, in this case, a reproduction order capable ofbeing set as the object recording sequence information OSI has only anorder from the first track TR1 to the second track TR2. The first trackTR1 is a track corresponds to a series of the audio objects to berecorded in the DVD 1 during a period from recording is commenced onceuntil it is terminated as described above.

Further, one track TR is logically comprised of one or a plurality ofcells CL. The cells CL are all or a part of one track. In one cell CL,the audio information is standardized such that they should besuccessive. In other words, one track TR is comprised of one cell CL ormore.

Assuming that, for example, a broadcast program for an hour is recordedin the DVD 1 as the audio object, one track TR is comprised of only onecell CL as shown in the second track TR2 and the third cell CL3 of FIG.2 in this state.

On the other hand, in the case that the object recording sequence OSI isset in such a manner that the track TR is divided before and after apart of the formed one track TR so that a part of the formed one trackTR is not capable of being reproduced after the recording, it is onlystandardized that the cell CL is divided before and after a part, whichis not capable of being reproduced in the audio DVD standard (refer tothe first track TR1, the first cell CL1 and the second cell CL2 in FIG.2). For example, the case corresponds to a case that the audio objectcorresponding to a period of a commercial message during the broadcastprogram has been on air is deleted so that it cannot be reproduced, orone track TR is divided for each song after this one track TR is formedby plurality of songs or the like.

In the above case, as described later, according to the presentembodiment, the object recording sequence information OSI is edited sothat the track TR itself is divided in accordance to division of thecell CL (refer to FIG. 5 to be described later).

Next, in a relation between respective cells CL physically configured,and respective audio objects logically formed, one cell CL is ordinaryassociated with one audio object as shown in FIG. 2. Therefore, forexample, if one cell CL is deleted on the object recording sequenceinformation OSI, a corresponding audio object also becomes unnecessaryto be reproduced.

Further, a logical format of the above setting reproduction sequenceinformation UDI will be described.

As described above, the setting reproduction sequence information UDI(user defined program chain) is also referred to as a reproduction listin the audio DVD standard. The user sets and records the settingreproduction sequence information UDI so that the user can arbitrarilyreproduce a part or all of a plurality of audio objects in an arbitraryorder.

In the above case, the above described track TR does not exist in thesetting reproduction sequence information UDI. Further, it is possibleto set a plurality of setting reproduction sequence information UDI.

Next, one setting reproduction sequence information UDI is logicallycomprised of one or a plurality of defined cells UD as shown in FIG. 2.In this case, one defined cell UD comprises information, which logicallyshows reproduction segments arbitrarily set by the user (reproductionsegments as a part of the respective audio objects) and a reproductionorder between respective reproduction segments. This defined cell UD isset so as to reproduce respective audio objects with making reference tothem. This is an artifice in a standard to realize a plurality ofreproduction manners with changing original audio objects as little aspossible.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, logically setting a first definedcell UD1, a second defined cell UD2, a third defined cell UD3 and afourth defined cell UD4, then, one setting reproduction sequenceinformation UDI is comprised of defining these defined cells so thatthey are reproduced in such an order that the first defined cell UD1,the second defined cell UD2, the third defined cell UD3, and the fourthdefined cell UD4. The first defined cell UD1 designates a part of thefirst object OBJ1 as a reproduction segment. The second defined cell UD2designates a part of the second object OBJ1 as a reproduction segment.The third defined cell UD3 and the fourth defined cell UD4 designatevarious parts of the third object OBJ3, respectively, as reproductionsegments.

(II) Embodiment

Next, an embodiment according to the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 8.

At first, a schematic configuration of an information recordingreproduction apparatus according to the present embodiment will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a block diagram forshowing a schematic configuration of the information recordingreproduction apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 3, an information recording reproduction apparatus Saccording to the embodiment is comprised of a pickup 2 as a recordingdevice, a modulator 3, a formatter 4, an encoder 5, a timing generator6, a system controller 7 as a generating and recording device, a memory9, a demodulator 10, a decoder 11, a switch 12, a servo IC (IntegratedCircuit) 13, a spindle motor 14 and an operation unit 15 as adesignation device and a reproduction designation device.

Additionally, the system controller 7 is provided with a navigationinformation generator 8.

Further, the timing generator 6 is comprised of a detecting circuit 6Aand an addition circuit 6B.

Next, schematic operations of respective units will be explained below.

The spindle motor 14 rotates the DVD 1 with predetermined number ofrevolutions on the basis of a spindle controlling signal Sss from theservo IC 13.

On the other hand, recording information Sr including the audioinformation to be recorded in the DVD 1 is inputted from the outside,then, it is inputted in the encoder 5, one input terminal of the switch12 and the detecting circuit 6A.

Further, the encoder 5 performs a predetermined encoding processing,which is specifically, for example, compression encoding processing inan MPEG (Moving Picture Experts Group) system, with respect to therecording information Sr on the basis of a controlling signal Sce fromthe system controller 7 and generates a encoding signal Sre to output itto the formatter 4.

Thus, the formatter 4 superimposes a navigation information signal Sndfrom the navigation information generator 8 to be described later andthe above encoding signal Sre on the basis of a controlling signal Scffrom the system controller 7 so that they are formed in a physicalformat. Then, the formatter 4 generates a superimposed signal Sf tooutput it to the modulator 3.

After that, the modulator 3 provides the superimposed signal Sf withpredetermined modulation processing, which is specifically, for example,8-16 modulation processing, and generates a modulation signal Sfe tooutputted it to the pickup 2.

Thus, the pickup 2 generates an optical beam B, whose strength ismodulated by the modulation signal Sfe, and irradiates it to aninformation track in an information recording surface (not illustrated)of the DVD 1, so that pits in associated with the navigationinformation, which is included in the modulation signal Sfe, and theaudio information are generated on the information track. Thus, thepickup 2 records the navigation information and the audio information onthe DVD 1 in a physical format shown in FIG. 1.

In the above case, an objective lens (not illustrated) in the pickup 2(an objective lens for condensing the optical beam B) is moved in theabove vertical and horizontal directions on the basis of a pickup servosignal Ssp to be outputted from the servo IC 13. Namely, focus servocontrolling and tracking servo controlling are performed. As a result,the declination between a condensing position of the optical beam B andthe above information track in a vertical and horizontal directions withrespect to the above information recording surface is dissolved.

Therefore, the servo IC 13 generates the above spindle controllingsignal Sss and a pickup servo signal Ssp on the basis of a controllingsignal Ssc from the system controller 7 to output these signals to thespindle motor 14 and the pickup 2, respectively.

On one hand, in the case of reproducing the audio information or thelike, which has been already recorded in the DVD 1, the pickup 2generates the optical beam B to be reproduced having certain strengthand irradiates it to the information track in which the above pits areformed. Then, the pickup 2 generates a detecting signal Spp inassociated with the audio information or the like on the basis of itsreflection light and outputs it to the demodulator 10.

Thus, the demodulator 10 provides the detecting signal Spp withdemodulation processing in associated with the modulation processing inthe above modulator 3, and generates a demodulation signal Spd to outputit to the decoder 11.

Then, the decoder 11 provides the demodulation signal Spd with decodingprocessing in associated with the encoding processing in the aboveencoder 5 on the basis of a controlling signal Scd from the systemcontroller 7, and generates a decoding signal Sd to output it to otherinput terminal of the switch 12 and the detecting circuit 6A.

After that, the switch 12 selects any one of the above recordinginformation Sr and the above decoding signal Sd on the basis of acontrolling signal Scs from the system controller 7 and outputs it to anexterior amplifier or the like (not illustrated) as an output signalSout.

Alternatively, in the editorial processing of the embodiment to bedescribed later, the switch 12 is always switched to a decoding signalSd's side.

On the other hand, the operation unit 15 generates an operation signalSin in associated with the operation and outputs it to the systemcontroller 7 through the timing generator 6 when the operation isperformed by the user to perform the processing in the informationrecording reproduction apparatus S.

Upon performing the editorial processing of the embodiment to bedescribed later, when the operation is performed to divide respectivetracks TR, the operation unit 15 generates the operation signal Sinindicating that respective tracks TR are divided in this timing.

Next, upon performing the above editorial processing, the timinggenerator 6 generates a timing signal Stm indication a timing at whichthe edition should be performed on the basis of the above recordinginformation Sr, the decoding signal Sd and the operation signal Sinoutput this signal to the navigation information generator 8.

More specifically, the detecting circuit 6A in the timing generator 6detects the recording information Sr and a silent portion of thedecoding signal Sd, and generates a detecting signal Spu to output it tothe addition circuit 6B. Then, the addition circuit 6B adds thedetecting signal Spu and an operation signal Sh from the operation unit15, and generates the above timing signal Stm to output it.

Thus, the timing signal Stm is outputted to the navigation informationgenerator 8 at both of a timing that the above dividing operation isperformed in the operation unit 15 and a timing that the detectingcircuit 6A detects the recording information Sr and the silent portionof the decoding signal Sd.

Alternatively, in the case that the recording information Sr hasboundary information showing a boundary of a song in its data, thedetecting circuit 6A detects this boundary information.

Thus, the navigation information generator 8 generates the abovenavigation information signal Snd including the above respectivenavigation information after the editorial processing on the basis ofthe timing signal Stm and outputs it to one input terminal of theformatter 4.

As a result, the audio information in the encoding signal Sre and thenavigation information in the navigation information signal Snd aresuperimposed by the above formatter 4, so that the above superimposedsignal Sf including the audio information or the like, which has thephysical format shown in FIG. 1, is generated.

In parallel with these operations, the system controller 7 gives andreceives information necessary as a memory signal Sm to and from thememory 9, generates respective controlling signals Sce, Scf, Ssc, Scdand Scs for controlling the above respective operations and outputs themto component materials in associated with respective controllingsignals.

Next, editorial processing of the object recording sequence informationOSI according to the embodiment will be explained with reference to FIG.4 to FIG. 6.

Additionally, the editorial processing to be described below edits thetrack TR, which is recorded once in the DVD 1 in accordance with thephysical format shown in FIG. 1, and the object recording sequenceinformation OSI in associated with the track TR so that they are dividedafter the recording.

Alternatively, FIG. 4 is a flow chart for showing the editorialprocessing, which is mainly performed in the system controller 7. FIG. 5and FIG. 6 are diagrams for specifically illustrating the objectrecording sequence information OSI before and after the division.

As shown in FIG. 3, according to the editorial processing of the presentembodiment, at first, reproduction of the audio information, which hasbeen already recorded in the DVD 1 as the track TR (a track TR to bedivided), is commenced (step S1). In this case, the switch 12, which hasbeen switched to the decoding signal Sd's side, reproduces the audioinformation via the pickup 2, the demodulator 10, the decoder 11 and theswitch 12.

If reproduction of the audio information is commenced, then, it isdetermined whether the desired dividing processing, i.e., the editorialprocessing of the object recording sequence information OSI is completedor not (step S2). If it is all completed (step S2; YES), terminationprocessing is performed (step S3) and the editorial processing isterminated. For example, the termination processing includes theprocessing of recording of the termination information to be recorded inthe lead-out area LO or the like.

On one hand, in the determination in the step S2, if all of theeditorial processing is not completed (step S2; NO), then, it isdetermined whether or not the operation signal Sin indicating that thetrack TR is divided is inputted from the operation unit 15 (step S4).Further, if the operation signal Sin is not inputted (step S4; NO), theprocessing returns to the step S2 so as to wait until the operationsignal Sin is inputted. On the contrary, if it is inputted (step S4;YES), then, it is determined whether or not the division timingindicated by the timing signal Stm in associated with the operationsignal Sin is a timing in the middle of reproduction of one audio objectunit AOBU (step S5).

Further, if the division timing is a timing in the middle ofreproduction of one audio object unit AOBU (step S5; YES), theprocessing waits until a timing that the reproduction of the audioobject unit AOBU is terminated comes since it is assumed that theeditorial or deletion processing or the like is not performed in themiddle of one audio object unit AOBU as described above.

On the other hand, if the division timing indicated by the timing signalStm is not a timing in the middle of one audio object unit AOBU (stepS5; NO), then, the address information in a recording terminationposition in the audio object to be reproduced before the division timingin the corresponding object recording sequence information OSI and areproduction termination time of the cell CL to be reproduced before thedivision timing are changed on the object recording sequence informationOSI (step S6). Simultaneously, updating of a track number of a new trackTR, of which the reproduction is commenced after the division timing,and the audio object number and rewriting of the address information ofthe address information in the recording start position of the new trackTR are performed on the object recording sequence information OSI (stepS7). Then, at the next division timing, the processing returns to stepS2 so as to repeat the same processing.

Next, it is clearly explained how the object recording sequenceinformation OSI is edited in the above editorial processing withreference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6.

Additionally, according to a following explanation, in one DVD 1, afirst track 20 having a reproduction time of 19 minutes, 59 seconds and2 frames (1 frame is equivalent to {fraction (1/30)} second) shown inthe logical format in FIG. 5 is divided into a first track 30, of whichreproduction time is just 10 minutes, and a second track 31, of whichreproduction time is 9 minutes, 59 seconds and 2 frames. Simultaneously,according to a following explanation, a second track 21 having areproduction time of 29 minutes, 59 seconds and 29 frames is dividedinto a third track 32, of which reproduction time is just 15 minutes, afourth track 33, of which reproduction time is just 10 minutes, and afifth track 34, of which reproduction time is 9 minutes, 59 seconds and29 frames.

With respect to the logical format before and after division, a firstaudio object 22 and a first cell 24 are associated with the first track20 before division. Simultaneously, a second audio object 23 and asecond cell 25 are associated with the second track 21.

Alternatively, after division, a first audio object 35 and a first cell40 are associated with the first track 30, a second audio object 36 anda second cell 41 are associated with the second track 31, a third audioobject 37 and a third cell 42 are associated with the third track 32, afourth audio object 38 and a fourth cell 43 are associated with thefourth track 33, and a fifth audio object 39 and a fifth cell 44 areassociated with the fifth track 34, respectively.

At first, contents of the object recording sequence information OSIbefore division will be described by using FIG. 6A.

As shown in FIG. 6A, before division illustrated in FIG. 5, the objectrecording sequence information OSI includes a program chain generalinformation 50, first track information 51 (its value is “1”), secondtrack information 52 (its value is “1”), a first cell information searchpointer 53, a second cell information search pointer 54, first cellinformation 55 and second cell information 56. The program chain generalinformation 50 includes a track total number 50A (its value is “2”), inwhich the total number of the tracks TR recorded in the DVD 1 isdescribed, and a cell information search pointer total number 50B (itsvalue is “2”), in which the total number of the cell information searchpointers to be described later is described. The total number of thecells CL included in the first track 20 before division is described inthe first track information 51. The total number of the cells CLincluded in the second track 21 before division is described in thesecond track information 52. A recording position (recording address) onthe DVD 1, in which the first cell information 55 to be described lateris described, is described in the first cell information search pointer53. A recording position on the DVD 1, in which the second cellinformation 56 to be described later is described, is described in thesecond cell information search pointer 54. The first cell information 55includes first cell start time information 55A (its value is “0 minute,0 second and 0 frame), in which a reproduction start time of the firstcell 24 before division is described, and first cell termination timeinformation 55B (its value is “19 minutes, 59 seconds and 2 frames), inwhich a reproduction termination time of the first cell 24 is described.The second cell information 56 includes second cell start timeinformation 56A (its value is “0 minute, 0 second and 0 frame), in whicha reproduction start time of the second cell 25 before division isdescribed, and second cell termination time information 56B (its valueis “29 minutes, 59 seconds and 29 frames), in which a reproductiontermination time of the second cell 25 is described.

Next, contents of an object recording sequence information OSI′ afterrespective tracks TR in associated with the object recording sequenceinformation OSI shown in FIG. 6A are divided by the above editorialprocessing in a form shown in FIG. 5 will be described with reference toFIG. 6B.

As shown in FIG. 6B, after division illustrated in FIG. 5, the objectrecording sequence information OSI′ includes a program chain generalinformation 60, first track information 61 (its value is “1”), secondtrack information 62 (its value is “1”), third track information 63 (itsvalue is “1”), fourth track information 64 (its value is “1”), fifthtrack information 65 (its value is “1”), first cell information searchpointer 66, second cell information search pointer 67, third cellinformation search pointer 68, fourth cell information search pointer69, fifth cell information search pointer 70, first cell information 71,second cell information 72, third cell information 73, fourth cellinformation 74 and fourth cell information 75. The program chain generalinformation 60 includes a track total number 60A (its value is “5”), inwhich the total number of the tracks TR recorded in the DVD 1 isdescribed, and a cell information search pointer total number 60B (itsvalue is “5”), in which the total number of the corresponding cellinformation search pointers is described. The total number of the cellsCL included in the first track 30 after division is described in thefirst track information 61. The total number of the cells CL included inthe second track 31 after division is described in the second trackinformation 62. The total number of the cells CL included in the thirdtrack 32 after division is described in the third track information 63.The total number of the cells CL included in the fourth track 33 afterdivision is described in the fourth track information 64. The totalnumber of the cells CL included in the fifth track 34 after division isdescribed in the fifth track information 65. A recording position on theDVD 1, in which the first cell information 71 to be described later isdescribed, is described in the first cell information search pointer 66.A recording position on the DVD 1, in which the second cell information72 to be described later is described, is described in the second cellinformation search pointer 67. A recording position on the DVD 1, inwhich the third cell information 73 to be described later is described,is described in the third cell information search pointer 68. Arecording position on the DVD 1, in which the fourth cell information 74to be described later is described, is described in the fourth cellinformation search pointer 69. A recording position on the DVD 1, inwhich the fifth cell information 75 to be described later is described,is described in the fifth cell information search pointer 70. The firstcell information 71 includes first cell start time information 71A (itsvalue is “0 minute, 0 second and 0 frame), in which a reproduction starttime of the first cell 40 after division is described, and first celltermination time information 71B (its value is “10 minutes, 0 second and0 frame), in which a reproduction termination time of the first cell 40is described. The second cell information 72 includes first cell starttime information 72A (its value is “10 minutes, 0 second and 0 frame),in which a reproduction start time of the second cell 41 after divisionis described, and second cell termination time information 72B (itsvalue is “19 minutes, 59 seconds and 2 frames), in which a reproductiontermination time of the second cell 41 is described. The third cellinformation 73 includes third cell start time information 73A (its valueis “0 minute, 0 second and 0 frame), in which a reproduction start timeof the third cell 42 after division is described, and third celltermination time information 73B (its value is “15 minutes, 0 second and0 frame), in which a reproduction termination time of the third cell 42is described. The fourth cell information 74 includes fourth cell starttime information 74A (its value is “15 minutes, 0 second and 0 frame),in which a reproduction start time of the fourth cell 43 after divisionis described, and fourth cell termination time information 74B (itsvalue is “25 minutes, 0 second and 0 frame), in which a reproductiontermination time of the fourth cell 43 is described. The fifth cellinformation 75 includes fifth cell start time information 75A (its valueis “25 minutes, 0 second and 0 frame), in which a reproduction starttime of the fifth cell 44 after division is described, and fifth celltermination time information 75B (its value is “29 minutes, 59 secondsand 29 frames), in which a reproduction termination time of the fifthcell 44 is described.

If the editorial processing shown in FIG. 4 is performed again, theobject recording sequence information OSI′ shown in FIG. 6B is newlyupdated and recorded by the same processing as the processing such thatthe object recording sequence information OSI′ is generated from theobject recording sequence information OSI.

Next, the processing in the case of reproducing the audio information,which is recorded as respective tracks TR divided by the editorialprocessing according to the above described embodiment, will bedescribed with reference to FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

Alternatively, the reproduction processing is performed by theinformation recording reproduction apparatus S under control of thesystem controller 7 on the basis of the above object file informationOFI or the like, which is generated after division.

Additionally, FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining contents of the aboveobject file information OFI, which is generated after the editorialprocessing, taking the cases shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6B as examples.FIG. 8 is a flow chart for showing the reproduction processing.

At first, the contents of the above object file information OFI afterdivision will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

The object file information OFI, which is generated after the tracks TRare divided in embodiment shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6B, includes firstobject general information 80, first object unit information 81, secondobject general information 82, second object unit information 83, thirdobject general information 84, third object unit information 85, fourthobject general information 86, fourth object unit information 87 andfifth object general information 88 and fifth object unit information89. The first object general information 80 is comprised of reproductionstart time information 80A (its value is “0 minute and 0 second”) of thefirst audio object 35 after division, reproduction termination timeinformation 80B (its value is “10 minutes and 0 second”) of the firstaudio object 35, other information 80C including other informationnecessary for reproduction of the first audio object 35, and apreparative area 80D. The first object unit information 81 is the aboveobject unit information in associated with the first audio object 35.The second object general information 82 is comprised of reproductionstart time information 82A (its value is “10 minutes and 0 second”) ofthe second audio object 36 after division, reproduction termination timeinformation 82B (its value is “19 minutes and 59 seconds”) of the secondaudio object 36, other information 82C including other informationnecessary for reproduction of the second audio object 36, and apreparative area 82D. The second object unit information 83 is the aboveobject unit information in associated with the second audio object 36.The third object general information 84 is comprised of reproductionstart time information 84A (its value is “0 minute and 0 second”) of thethird audio object 37 after division, reproduction termination timeinformation 84B (its value is “15 minutes and 0 second”) of the thirdaudio object 37, other information 84C including other informationnecessary for reproduction of the third audio object 37, and apreparative area 84D. The third object unit information 85 is the aboveobject unit information in associated with the third audio object 37.The fourth object general information 86 is comprised of reproductionstart time information 86A (its value is “15 minutes and 0 second”) ofthe fourth audio object 38 after division, reproduction termination timeinformation 86B (its value is “25 minutes and 0 second”) of the fourthaudio object 38, other information 86C including other informationnecessary for reproduction of the fourth audio object 38, and apreparative area 86D. The fourth object unit information 87 is the aboveobject unit information in associated with the fourth audio object 38.The fifth object general information 88 is comprised of reproductionstart time information 88A (its value is “25 minutes and 0 second”) ofthe fifth audio object 39 after division, reproduction termination timeinformation 88B (its value is “29 minutes and 59 seconds”) of the fifthaudio object 39, other information 88C including other informationnecessary for reproduction of the fifth audio object 39, and apreparative area 88D. The fifth object unit information 89 is the aboveobject unit information in associated with the fifth audio object 39.

Next, reproduction processing of an embodiment by the use of the objectfile information OFI or the like illustrated in FIG. 7 will be describedwith reference to FIG. 8.

Alternatively, the switch 12 is switched to the decoding signal Sd'sside when the reproduction processing is performed.

Additionally, reproduction processing explained below is reproductionprocessing for searching a position after a time of Ts seconds from ahead of the data area DA in the DVD 1 as a reproduction time andreproducing the audio information recorded in this position. In thiscase, reproduction time in associated with one audio object unit AOBU isassumed to be t seconds.

As shown in FIG. 8, according to the reproduction processing, at first,when the reproduction time Ts is designated by the user (step S20), aparameter n indicating the number of the audio object is set to “1”(step S21). The number is a continuous number in the case that thenumber of the audio object recorded in a head of the data area DA isassumed to be “1”. Then, the reproduction time Tn at the head of theaudio object to be illustrated by the parameter n is compared with theabove reproduction time Ts (step S22).

If the reproduction time Tn is ahead of the reproduction time Ts (stepS22; YES), it is assumed that the irradiating position of the opticalbeam B does not reach a desired reproduction position. Then, theparameter n is increased by “1” (step S23) and the processing returns tothe step S22.

On one hand, if it is determined that the reproduction time Tn is behindof the reproduction time Ts in the step S22 (Step S22; NO), it isassumed that the irradiating position of the optical beam B passes thedesired reproduction position by one audio object. Then, the parameter nis decreased by “1” (step S24). Therefore, a n-th audio object obtainedby this processing is an audio object including the reproduction timeTs. Next, difference between the reproduction time Tn and thereproduction time Ts is divided by the reproduction time t of one audioobject unit AOBU and its quotient is defined as k and its remainder isdefined as r (step S25).

According to this processing in the step S25, it is perceived that thedesired reproduction time Ts is equivalent to a position after r secondsfrom the head of the k-th audio object unit AOBU in the n-th audioobject.

Next, detection of the k-th audio object unit AOBU is commenced (stepS26). Further, the audio information is reproduced from a position afterr seconds from the above position (step S27) and the processing isterminated.

As described above, according to the dividing processing of the track TRby edition of the object recording sequence OSI of the embodiment,generating the object recording sequence information OSI′ after divisionto record it in the DVD 1 as shown in FIG. 6B is repeated every time thedivision is designated, so that it is possible to record the objectrecording sequence information OSI′ for dividing the original track TR(the first track 20 and the second track 21) in a manner desired by theuser to reproduce it.

Additionally, since the recorded audio information is reproduced andsimultaneously division is designated, it is possible that the userconfirms the contents of the audio information and simultaneously theobject recording sequence information OSI′ after division is generated.

Further, since respective cell information in the object recordingsequence information OSI′ include the reproduction time information ofrespective cells after division and the order information, it ispossible that respective tracks after division are capable of beingcertainly reproduced in a reproduction manner, which is desired by theuser.

Further, since the DVD 1 capable of recording is used as the informationrecording medium, large quantity of audio information can be recordedand simultaneously reproduced in such a manner that the user desired.

(III) Modified Embodiment

Next, a modified embodiment of the present invention will be describedwith reference to FIG. 9.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart for illustrating editorial processing accordingto a modified embodiment of the present invention.

In the above described embodiment, the editorial processing forreproducing the audio information, which is once recorded, andsimultaneously dividing the track TR is described. However, in additionto this, the present invention can be also applied to the case that aseries of the audio information is divided and recorded upon recordingthis series of the audio information in the DVD 1, in which no audioinformation is recorded.

Since the configuration of the information recording reproductionapparatus according to the modified embodiment is the same as theconfiguration of the information recording reproduction apparatus S ofthe embodiment other than that the switch 12 is always switched to therecording information Sr's side, the explanation thereof is omittedbelow.

In the editorial processing in the modified embodiment, as shown in FIG.9, at first, the audio information recording is commenced (step S10).Then, the audio object unit AOBU is generated by the above describedprocessing to be recorded in the DVD 1 (step S11).

After that, it is determined whether or not the audio informationrecording is completed or not (step S12). If the recording processing isnot completed (step S12; NO), then, it is determined whether a boundaryof a song in the recording information Sr is detected (step S14).

In the above case, in the processing of the step S14, specifically, theboundary is detected at timing that the detecting circuit 6A in thetiming generator 6 detects the silent portion of the recordinginformation Sr.

When the boundary of the song is detected by the determination in thestep S14 (step S14; YES), the address information of the recordingtermination position in the audio object to be reproduced before theboundary timing in the corresponding object recording sequenceinformation OSI and the reproduction termination of the cell CL to bereproduced before the boundary timing are newly generated as the objectrecording sequence information OSI (step S16). Further, a new audioobject and a new track TR are generated with respect to the audioinformation, which has been recorded up to the boundary (steps S17 andS18) and the processing returns to the step S11 so as to repeat the sameprocessing at the boundary timing to come next.

On one hand, if the boundary of the song is not detected in thedetermination of the step S14 (step S14; NO), then, it is determinedwhether or not the operation signal Sin, which intends to divide thetrack TR generated up to that time, is inputted from the operation unit15 (step S15). If the operation signal Sin is not inputted (step S15;NO), the processing shifts to the step S11 as it is. On the contrary, ifit is inputted (step S15; YES), the processing shifts to the above stepS16 and performs the above described processing thereafter.

If it is detected that recording processing is completely terminated inthe determination of the step S12 (step S12; YES), then, the addressinformation of the recording termination position in the last audioabject and the reproduction termination time of the last cell CL aregenerated as the object recording sequence information OSI (step S19).Then, the predetermined termination processing is performed (step S20)and the recording processing is terminated. The predeterminedtermination processing includes, for example, the processing ofrecording of the termination information to be recorded in the read outarea LO or the like.

As the object recording sequence information OSI to be generated afterthe editorial processing shown in FIG. 9 is performed, for example, theobject recording sequence information OSI illustrated in FIG. 6A isgenerated as well as the recording processing. In this case, theboundary of the song is detected in the audio information to be recordedonly when ten minutes zero second has been passed after the recording iscommenced.

As described above, according to the editorial processing of the objectrecording sequence information OSI in the modified embodiment, theobject recording sequence information OSI before and after the boundaryof the song is generates in such a manner that it is shown in FIG. 6Aand simultaneously, recording the audio information is repeated for eachboundary timing of the song. As a result, it is possible to record theobject recording sequence information OSI for dividing and reproducingthe recording information Sr in such a manner that the user desires aswell as it is possible to divide and record the recording information Srto be continuously inputted in such a manner that the user desires inthe DVD 1.

Additionally, since respective cell information in the object recordingsequence information OSI include the reproduction time information andthe order information of respective cells after division, it is possibleto certainly reproduce respective tracks after division in such areproduction manner that the user desires.

Further, since the DVD 1 capable of recording is used as the informationrecording medium, large quantity of the audio information is capable ofbeing recorded as well as this is capable of being reproduces in such areproduction manner that the user desires.

Alternatively, the present invention is not limited to the abovedescribed embodiment.

In other words, for example, in the processing shown in FIG. 4, it isdescribed that the audio object is divided when the operation signal Sinindicating that respective tracks TR are divided from the operation unit15. However, in addition to this, the audio object may be automaticallydivided in response to that the detector 6A detects the silent portionof the decoding signal Sd.

Additionally, according to the above described embodiment and themodified embodiment, the present invention is applied to the audio DVDrecorder, which employs the audio DVD standard. However, in addition tothis, the present invention may be applied to the video DVD recorder,which employs a standard of the video DVD.

The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The presentembodiments are therefore to be considered in all respects asillustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention beingindicated by the appended claims rather than by the forgoing descriptionand all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalencyof the claims are therefore intended to be embraces therein.

The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-104027filed on Apr. 5, 2000 including the specification, claims, drawings andsummary is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information recording apparatus for recordinginformation to be recorded in an information recording medium andgenerating reproduction controlling information for controlling areproduction manner upon reproducing the recording information afterrecording at the time of recording of the recording information torecord it in the information recording medium as well as the recordinginformation, the information recording apparatus comprising: adesignating device for designating division timing in the recordinginformation in case of dividing continuous recording information torecord it in the information recording medium; a recording device forrecording former part recording information which is the recordinginformation before the designated division timing, and latter partrecording information which is the recording information after thedesignated division timing, in the information recording medium; and agenerating and recording device for repeating generating formerreproduction controlling information which is the reproductioncontrolling information in associated with the former part recordinginformation, and latter reproduction controlling information which isthe reproduction controlling information in associated with the latterpart recording information to record them in the information recordingmedium every time when the division timing is designated.
 2. Aninformation recording apparatus for newly generating divisionreproduction controlling information which is reproduction controllinginformation for dividing and reproducing the recording information froman information recording medium, in which continuous recordinginformation and the reproduction controlling information for controllingthe reproduction manner of the recording information are recorded, torecord it in the information recording medium, the information recordingapparatus comprising: a designating device for designating a divisiontiming in the recording information; and a generating and recordingdevice for repeating newly generating former reproduction controllinginformation which is the reproduction controlling information, inassociated with former part recording information which is the recordinginformation before the designated division timing, and latterreproduction controlling information which is the reproductioncontrolling information in associated with latter part recordinginformation which is the recording information after the designateddivision timing, to record them as the division reproduction controllinginformation in the information recording medium every time when thedivision timing is designated.
 3. The information recording apparatusaccording to claim 2, wherein the designating device comprises areproduction designating device for designating the division timingwhile reproducing the recording information, which is recorded.
 4. Theinformation recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the formerreproduction controlling information includes order information toindicate a reproduction order of the former part recording informationand range information to indicate a range where the former partrecording information is recorded in the recording information; and thelatter reproduction controlling information includes order informationto indicate a reproduction order of the latter part recordinginformation and range information to indicate a range where the latterpart recording information is recorded in the recording information. 5.The information recording apparatus according to claim 3, wherein theformer reproduction controlling information includes order informationto indicate a reproduction order of the former part recordinginformation and range information to indicate a range where the formerpart recording information is recorded in the recording information; andthe latter reproduction controlling information includes orderinformation to indicate a reproduction order of the latter partrecording information and range information to indicate a range wherethe latter part recording information is recorded in the recordinginformation.
 6. The information recording apparatus according to claim1, wherein the recording information comprises audio informationincluding at least music information and voice information.
 7. Theinformation recording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein therecording information comprises audio information including at leastmusic information and voice information.
 8. The information recordingapparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information recording mediumis a DVD capable of recording the information.
 9. The informationrecording apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the informationrecording medium is a DVD capable of recording the information.
 10. Aninformation recording method of recording information to be recorded inan information recording medium and generating reproduction controllinginformation for controlling a reproduction manner upon reproducing therecording information after recording at the time of recording of therecording information to record it in the information recording mediumas well as the recording information, the information recording methodcomprising the processes of: designating a division timing in therecording information in case of dividing continuous recordinginformation to record it in the information recording medium; recordingformer part recording information which is the recording informationbefore the designated division timing, and latter part recordinginformation which is the recording information after the designateddivision timing, in the information recording medium; and repeatinggenerating former reproduction controlling information which is thereproduction controlling information in associated with the former partrecording information, and latter reproduction controlling informationwhich is the reproduction controlling information in associated with thelatter part recording information to record them in the informationrecording medium every time when the division timing is designated. 11.An information recording method of newly generating divisionreproduction controlling information which is reproduction controllinginformation for dividing and reproducing the recording information froman information recording medium, in which continuous recordinginformation and the reproduction controlling information for controllingthe reproduction manner of the recording information are recorded, torecord it in said information recording medium, the informationrecording method comprising the processes of: designating a divisiontiming in the recording information; and repeating newly generatingformer reproduction controlling information which is the reproductioncontrolling information in associated with the former part recordinginformation which is the recording information before the designateddivision timing, and the latter reproduction controlling informationwhich is the reproduction controlling information in associated with thelatter part recording information which is the recording informationafter the designated division timing, to record them as the divisionreproduction controlling information in the information recording mediumevery time when the division timing is designated.
 12. The informationrecording method according to claim 11, wherein the process ofdesignating the division timing designates the division timing whilereproducing the recording information, which is recorded.
 13. Theinformation recording method according to claim 11, wherein the formerreproduction controlling information includes order information toindicate a reproduction order of the former part recording informationand range information to indicate a range where the former partrecording information is recorded in the recording information; and thelatter reproduction controlling information includes order informationto indicate a reproduction order of the latter part recordinginformation and range information to indicate a range where the latterpart recording information is recorded in the recording information. 14.The information recording method according to claim 12, wherein theformer reproduction controlling information includes order informationto indicate a reproduction order of the former part recordinginformation and range information to indicate a range where the formerpart recording information is recorded in the recording information; andthe latter reproduction controlling information includes orderinformation to indicate a reproduction order of the latter partrecording information and range information to indicate a range wherethe latter part recording information is recorded in the recordinginformation.
 15. The information recording method according to claim 10,wherein the recording information comprises audio information includingat least music information and voice information.
 16. The informationrecording method according to claim 11, wherein the recordinginformation comprises audio information including at least musicinformation and voice information.
 17. The information recording methodaccording to claim 10, wherein the information recording medium is a DVDcapable of recording the information.
 18. The information recordingmethod according to claim 11, wherein the information recording mediumis a DVD capable of recording the information.